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The mango tree (Mangifera indica) growing in the warm, sunny corner of your sheltered garden is thriving with your careful applications of water and fertilizer. One bright day, however, you may notice that there's bugs crawling on your tree. While small populations of pests don't affect the mango tree, in severe infestations you should treat the tree with the mildest methods of bug-killing before moving on to insecticides.

1

Identify the pest on your mango tree. Aphids, mealybugs, mites, scale and whiteflies are common pests in both indoor and outdoor gardens. If ants are present and tending the insects, controlling the ants are essential to managing the pest problem.

2

Spray aphids and other soft-bodied pests with a strong stream of water to knock them off the mango's leaves and branches. Gently wipe the tree with a soft rag to remove the remaining insects.

3

Mix a solution of 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 quart of water. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well. Spray one leaf and wait a day to ensure that the mango leaf isn't damaged by the solution. Coat all affected areas with the spray to kill the insects.

4

Add 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper to your homemade bug spray if you're fighting mites. Allow the solution to stand overnight, then stir thoroughly to mix the ingredients together. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and test it on a leaf before using it on the entire tree.

5

Spray the tree with a horticultural oil, such as neem oil, if the infestation is severe. Thoroughly coat the leaves and branches with the oil to ensure that you've killed all the pests.

6

Release predatory insects such as ladybugs or praying mantises into the garden. Lightly spritz the ladybugs with water and place them in the mango tree after dark so they don't fly away. Once the ladybugs discover the pests, they will begin feeding immediately.

7

Wrap the trunk of the mango tree with tree wrap. Coat the wrap with a sticky barrier product to prevent the ants from repopulating the tree with more honeydew-producing pests.

Things You Will Need

Garden hose with sprayer

Soft rag

Dishwashing liquid

Vegetable oil

Spray bottle

Cayenne pepper

Horticultural oil, such as neem oil

Predatory insects such as ladybugs or praying mantises

Tree wrap

Sticky barrier product

Tips

Honeydew promotes the development of sooty mildew. Spray any remaining honeydew or mildew with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda mixed with one quart of warm water. Spray the tree every two to four days until the mildew is gone.

Always test homemade and commercial sprays on one leaf to ensure that your tree will tolerate the spray. Some plants are sensitive to the ingredients in insecticides.

Warnings

Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes when mixing or spraying the bug-killing solutions, especially those containing cayenne pepper.

Mango is a member of the sumac family. Use caution in handling the tree if you're highly sensitive to poison oak, you could have an allergic reaction.

Avoid using insecticidal sprays in temperatures above 90 degrees, excess heat may make the tree more sensitive to the ingredients.

About the Author

With degrees in fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published author. De Jauregui authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, available as an ebook. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues.